Online health information can be both boon & bane

A 35-year-old woman (name withheld) had been experiencing persistent headaches and fatigue. She searched online for symptoms and self-diagnosed herself with migraine. Based on online reviews, she started taking a combination of over-the-counter medication and herbal supplements.

Initially, the pain seemed to subside, but soon she began to experience stomach problems, including ulcers and bleeding. She also noticed that her fatigue worsened, and she felt dizzy and weak.

When she finally visited a doctor, tests revealed that she had developed kidney damage due to prolonged use of certain medications. The doctor also discovered that her symptoms were not that of migraine, but a rather different condition that required specific treatment.

And this is not an isolated case. In today’s digital age, Internet has become an indispensable source for individuals seeking medical information. However, a growing trend of self-diagnosis and self-medication has raised concerns among healthcare professionals.

“Almost everyone, who has access to mobile phone, has used Internet for self-diagnosis. Nothing is wrong with it, but the problem starts when people start self-medication on the basis of information they get over the web,” said Dr Balbir Singh, a former PCMS officer.

He said that without proper medical training and expertise, individuals risk misinterpreting symptoms, overlooking underlying conditions, and exacerbating health issues. “Self-medication with incomplete knowledge of disease pathology may increase morbidity among those affected,” he said.

The convenience and accessibility of online health information can be both a blessing and a curse. While it empowers individuals to take charge of their health, it also creates a false sense of security and expertise.

Talking about the risks associated with self-diagnosis and self-medication, Dr Sukhwinder Singh Gill said that self-medication with antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance, rendering these life-saving medications ineffective against certain infections.

“Moreover, masking symptoms can delay diagnosis and treatment of underlying conditions, potentially worsening health outcomes,” he said.

Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur said, “If buying medicine from a store without a physician’s advice is wrong, so is the use of Internet for self-medication.” She said that in most cases, people end up worsening their condition and then go to a doctor. Dr Kirandeep Kaur said that consuming certain kind of medicines without proper knowledge might actually cause more harm.